Scaffold



. p 1 A H. SYMONS 2,882,099

SCAFFOLD Filed Dec. 11, 1952 I I I s Shets-Sheet 1 .A. H. fsYMoNs ISCAFFOLD April 14, 1959 Filed Dec. 11, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 UnitedStates Patent SCAFFOLD Arthur H. Symons, Chicago, Ill., assignor toSymons Clamp & Mfg. Co., Chicago, 10., a corporation of DelawareApplication December 11, 1952, Serial No. 325,353

3 Claims. (Cl. 304-2) The present invention relates generally toscaffolds for use in connection with building construction and otherwork. More particularly the invention relates to that type of scaffoldwhich is adapted to be assembled and dismantled at the place of use, isformed for the most part of metallic tubes, comprises a pair ofupstanding, spaced apart unitary end frames in the form of verticallyextending side members and cross members between the side members, aninner pair of crossed diagonally extending braces between the ends ofthe inner side members of the end frames, an outer pair of crosseddiagonally extending braces between the ends of the outer side membersof the end frames, an upper horizontally extending brace between theupper end of the outer side member of one of the end frames and theupper end of the inner side member of the other end frame, and a lowerhorizontally extending brace between the lower end of the inner sidemember of the one end frame and the lower end of the outer side memberof said other end frame, has detachable connections between the ends ofthe diagonally and horizontally extending braces and the side members ofthe end frames in order that it may be readily assembled at the place ofuse and then dismantled, and is adapted with adjoining similar endframes and diagonally and horizontally extending braces to form acomplete scaffolding.

One object of the invention is to provide a scaffold of theaforementioned type which is an improvement upon, and has certainadvantages over, previously designed scaffolds and is characterized bysimplicity of construction or design and facility of assembly anddismantlement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scaffold of the typeunder consideration and in which the detachable connections between thediagonally extending braces and the side members of the end framesconsist of: (l) lugs which are connected to, and project laterally from,the ends of the side members of the end frames and embody upstandingtubular elements in laterally spaced relation with the ends of the sidemembers; and (2) vertically extending sleeves which are welded to theends of the diagonally extendingbraces and are adapted to fit around theupstanding tubular elements on the laterally projecting lugs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scaffold of the typeheretofore mentioned and in which the detachable connections between theends of the horizontally extending braces and the ends of the sidemembers of the end frames consist of vertically extending pins which arewelded to, and depend from, the ends of the horizontally extendingbraces and are adapted to fit within the upstanding tubular elements onthe aforementione laterally extending lugs.

. Another object of the invention is to provide a scaffold of the typeand character under consideration and in which the detachableconnections between the diagonally and horizontally extending braces andthe ends of the side members of the end frames have simple and novelreleasable locking means associated therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scaffold of the lastmentioned character .and in which the releas able locking means for thedetachable connections consists of ring-shaped elements which aremounted for close vertical sliding movement on the portions of the endsof the side. members of the end frames that are directly above thelaterally projecting lugs, are adapted when slid downwards afterconnection of the sleeves and pins to the upstanding tubular elements toassume operative positions wherein they overlie the sleeves and pins andoperate, if tilted or canted as the result of unintentional limitedupward movement of the sleeves and pins relatively to the tubularelements, frictionally to grip the adjacent portions of the ends of theside members of the end frames in such manner that they are precludedfrom sliding upwards and thus prevent disconnection of the sleeves andpins from the tubular elements, and are further adapted when manuallymanipulated into truly horizontal planes for releasing purposes and thenslid upwards to assume inoperative positions wherein they permit thesleeves and pins to be readily disconnected from the upstanding tubularelements on the laterally projecting lugs.

A further object of the invention is to provide a scaffold of theaforementioned type and character and in which certain of the crossmembers of the end frames are so arranged that the ends thereof formstops for limiting upward sliding movement of the ring-shaped elementsinto their inoperative positions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a scaifold whichis generally of new and improved con struction and is capable of beingfabricated or produced at a comparatively low cost.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages andcharacteristics of the present scaffold will be apparent from aconsideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which arehereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at theconclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification ordisclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote correspondingparts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing in assembled form a scaffold embodyingthe invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the assembled scaffold;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectcion on the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective showing in detail the construction and designof the detachable connections that are illustrated in Figures 1 to 3,inclusive, and normally extend between the ends of the diagonally andhorizontally extending braces and the ends of the side members of theend frames, and also showing the construction and design of the slidablymounted ring-shaped elements which serve as releasable locking means forthe connections; e

Figure 5 is a vertical section of the parts that are shown orillustrated in Figure 4;

Figures 6 and 7 are'vertical sections of a different or modified form ofdetachable connection and a different or modified form of ring-shapedlocking element;

Figure 8 is a horizontal section on the line 88 of Figure 6; and

Figure 9 is a perspective of theslidably mounted ringdrawingsconstitutes one form or embodiment of the in- ,vention. It is adaptedfor use in connection with'building construction and other work andcomprises a pair of uni my end frames 6, two pairs of crossed diagonallyextending braces 7, an upper horizontally extending brace 8, and a lowerhorizontally extending brace 9. The end frames and the braces arepreferably in the form of steel tubes in order that the scaffold as awhole is comparatively light in weight. It is contemplated that thescaffold will be assembled and dismantled at the site or place of useand that when the scaffold is not in use, it will be stored in knockeddown form.

The end frames 6 extend vertically and are spaced apart an appreciabledistance. They are normally maintained in rigid spaced apart relation bythe diagonally and horizontally extending braces as hereinafterdescribed and consist of vertically extending side members 10, uppercross members 11, lower cross members 12 and intermediate cross members13. The side members 10 of the end frames have open ends and are held infixed or rigid spaced apart relation by the cross members 11, 12 and 13.The upper ends of the side members are provided with verticallyextending rods 14. The lower ends of these rods fit snugly within theupper ends of the side members 10 and are secured in place byhorizontally extending bolts 15, and the upper ends of the rods areadapted, as shown in Figure 3, to fit within the lower ends of the sidemembers of superjacent end frames. The upper cross members 11 extendhorizontally and have the ends thereof welded to the upper extremitiesof the side members. The lower cross members 12 are disposed beneath,and in parallel relation with, the upper cross members and have theirends welded to the lower ends of the side members 10 at points that-arecomparatively small distances above the lower end extremities of theside members. The inter mediate cross members 13 are disposed between,and in parallel relation with, the upper and lower cross members andhave their ends welded to the central portions of the side members 10.When the scaffold is in its assembled position, as shown in Figures 1and 2 of the drawings, the cross members of the end frarnes 6 may beutilized to support horizontal planks or boards (not shown) as wellunderstood in the art. The ends of the side members of the end frames 6are provided with laterally projecting lugs 16. The inner sides of theselugs are provided with arcuate recesses 17 which are shaped conformablyto, and receive, the adjacent portions of the ends of the side membersof the end frames. Preferably the lugs are fixedly secured in place bywelding them to the ends of the side members 10. The upper portions ofthe lugs 16 are provided with integral upstanding tubular elements 18and these form parts of the hereinafter described detachable connectionsbetween the diagonally and horizontally extending braces and the ends ofthe side members of the end frames. As best shown in Figures 4 and ofthe drawings, the tubular elements 18 are circular in cross section andare spaced a small distance away from the adjacent portions of the sidemembers of the end frames. The upper end surfaces of the lugs 16 defineupwardly facing shoulders 19 at the lower ends of the tubular elements18. The lugs 16 on the upper ends of the side members of the end frames6 are located a small distance beneath the upper cross members 11 andthe lugs on the lower ends of the side members are located a smalldistance beneath the lower cross members 12. The lugs 16 are disposed atright angles to the various cross members of the end frames and arearranged so that the lugs on the side members of one of the end framesface or extend in the direction of those on the side members of theother end frame when the two end frames are in proper operativeposition. I

When the scafiold is in its normally assembled position one pair ofcrossed diagonally extending braces 7 extends between the inner sidemembers of the two end frames and the other pair of crossed diagonallyextending braces extends between the outer side members. The ends of thediagonally extending braces 7 are provided with vertically extendingsleeves 20 which are adapted to fit substantially snugly around theupstanding tubular elements 18. These sleeves are preferably welded tothe ends of the diagonally extending braces 7 and are the same in heightas the tubular elements 18 (see Figures 4 and 5). In assembling thescaffold the sleeves are positioned above the tubular elements 18 andthen shifted downwards into encircling and laterally interlockedrelation with the elements. The sleeves 20 together with the tubularelements 18 constitute simple and readily detachable connections betweenthe ends of the crossed diagonally extending braces 7 and the ends ofthe side members 10 of the end frames 6. When the sleeves are in theiroperative or connected position the lower ends thereof rest directly onthe shoulders 19 at the upper ends of the lugs 16.

The upper horizontally extending brace 8 and the lower horizontallyextending brace 9 assist the crossed diagonally extending braces 7 inholding the end frames 6 in fixed spaced apart relation. As shown inFigures 1 and 2 of the drawings the upper brace 8 extends between theupper end of the outer side member of one of the end frames and theupper end of the inner side member of the other end frame, and the lowerbrace 9 extends between the lower end of the inner side member of theone end frame and the lower end of the outer side member of the otherend frame. The ends of the braces 8 and 9 are provided with verticallyextending depending pins 21. The upper ends of these pins are welded tothe ends of the horizontally extending braces and the lower ends of thepins are adapted when the horizontally extending braces are in theiroperative position, to fit within the subjacent tubular elements 18, asbest shown in Figures 4 and 5. The pins 21, together with theirrespective tubular elements 18, constitute readily detachableconnections for connecting the horizontally extending braces to the sidemembers 10 of the end frames 6. In assembling the scaffold the pins 21are positioned above the proper tubular elements and are then shifteddownwards so as to interlock them with such elements. When thehorizontally extending braces 8 and 9 are in their operative positionthe ends thereof overlie the upper ends of the subjacent sleeves 20 andserve to hold the sleeves in place with respect to the tubular elements18.

In addition to the parts heretofore mentioned the scaffold comprisesring-shaped elements 22 for releasably locking in place the detachableconnections between the ends of the diagonally and horizontallyextending braces and the ends of the side members 10 of the end frames6. These elements are mounted for close vertical sliding movement on theportions of the ends of the side members that are directly above thelaterally projecting lugs 16 and are adapted when slid downwards, afterconnection of the sleeves 18 and the pins 21 to the tubular elements 18,to assume operative positions wherein they overlie the sleeves and pinsand, when slid upwards, to assume inoperative positions wherein theypermit the sleeves and pins to be readily disconnected from theupstanding tubular elements on the laterally projecting lugs 16. Whenthe ring-shaped elements 22 are in their operative positions portions ofthem rest directly either on the upper ends of the pins 21 or the upperends of the sleeves 20, depending upon whether there are pins under theelements. If, when the sleeves and pins are in connected relation withthe tubular elements 18 and the ring-shaped elements are in theiraforesaid operative positions, the sleeves and pins are subjected tounintentional limited upward movement relatively to the tubular elementsthey tilt or cant the ring-shaped elements 22 as shown in Figure 5 andthus cause the ring-shaped elements so frictionally to grip the adjacentportions of the ends of the side members of the end frames as topreclude upward sliding movement and thus prevent disconnection of thesleeves and pins from the tubular elements 18. In connection with upwardsliding movement of the ring-shaped elements 22 it is eontemplated. thatsuch elements will first be manually manipulated into truly horizontalplanes so as to release themfrom gripping relation with the ends of theside members of the end frames. After the locking elements aremanipulated into such planes they are free and hence may be readily slidupwards into their aforesaid inoperative positions without binding. Theends of the upper cross members 11 of the ends frames 6, due to theirlocation with respect to the upper ends of the side members 10, formstops for limiting upward sliding movement of the uppermost ring shapedelements 22 into their inoperative positions and the ends of the lowercross members 12 of the end frames, due to their particular locationwith respect to the lower ends of the side members, form stops forlimiting upward sliding movement of the lowermost ring-shaped elementsinto their inoperative positions.

It is contemplated that the ends of the side members of the end frames 6will have additional lugs and tubular elements in diametrically oppositerelation with the lugs 16 and the tubular elements 18 in order that theymay be connected to adjoining diagonally andhorizontally extendingbraces when the scaffold is used to form a complete scaffolding.

The heretofore described scatfold is essentially simple in constructionand, due to the particular design of the detachable connections betweenthe diagonally and horizontally extending braces and the ends of theside members of the end frames, may be readily and quickly assembled anddismantled. Due to the particular construction and arrangement of thering-shaped elements 22 locking and release of the detachableconnections may be effected with facility.

Figures 6 to 9, inclusive, of the drawings illustrate a detachableconnection and ring-shaped locking element which are slightly differentfrom the detachable connections and ring shaped elements of the scaffoldof Figures 1 to 5, inclusive. The parts that are illustrated in Figuresdto 9, inclusive, comprise an end frame with a side member a diagonalbrace 7 with a vertically extending sleeve 20 at one end thereof, ahorizontally extending brace 8 with a depending pin 21 at one endthereof, a laterally projecting lug 16 on the upper end of the sidemember 10 and with an integral upstanding tubular element 18, and aring-shaped locking element 22". The laterally extending lug 16 is thesame as the lug 16 of the scaffold of Figures 1 to 5, inclusive and iswelded to the upper end of the side member 10 The tubular element 18*-functions in the same manner as the tubular elements 18 of the scaifoldof Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, but is appreciably longer. As shown inFigures 6 and 7, the tubular element 1t; is substantially half again aslong as the element 18 and hence when the sleeve is in connectedrelation with the tubular element the upper end of the element projectsan appreciable distance above the upper end of the sleeve. By having thetubular element 18 longer than the sleeve 20 there is less likelihood ofthe sleeve becoming unintentionally detached from the element after itis connected to the latter. The depending pin 21 on the horizontal brace8 functions in the same manner as the pins 20 on the horizontal bracesof the scaifold of Figures 1 to 5, inclusive but is slightly longer inorder to cope with the fact that the tubular element 18 is of increasedlength. The ring shaped element 22 functions in the same manner as thelocking elements 22 of the scaffold of Figures 1 to 5, inclusive andditfers therefrom in that it includes an annular depending skirt 22 Theskirt 22 has its upper end welded to the outer periphery of the ringshaped element 22 and is of slightly greater length than the upperexposed end of the tubular element 18 on the laterally projecting lug16*. When the ring-shaped element 22 is in its operative position whilethere is no pin 21 in the tubular element 18 as shown in Figure 6, thelower end of the annular depending skirt 22 extends around the upper endof the tubular element and rests directly on the upper end of the sleeve20. In the event that there is any tendency for the sleeve 20 to slideupwards the sleeve operates through the medium of the annular de pendingskirt 2* to tilt or cant the ring-shaped element 22 so that it gripsfrictionally the adjacent portion of the side member 10 and thusprecludes upward displacement of the ring shaped element. In order torelease the ring-shaped element 22 such element is manipulated into atruly horizontal position and then slid upwards so as to permit thesleeve 20 to be removed from the tubular element 18. In the event thatthe depending pin 21 is disposed in the upstanding tubular element 18 asshown in Figure 7, the lower end of the annular depending skirt 22 restson the subjacent portion of the horizontal brace 8 when the ring-shapedelement 22 is in its operative or looking position. In such position thering-shaped element is normally canted. When it is desired to releasethe pin 21* it is only necessary to manipulate the ring-shaped element22 into a horizontal position and then slide it upwards into itsinoperative position wherein it is disposed an appreciable distanceabove the pin and permits the pin to be removed from the tubular element18 by sliding it upwards relatively thereto.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details setforth since these may be modified within the scope of the appendedclaims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a scaffold comprising a pair ofupstanding spaced apart unitary end frames consisting of verticallyextending side members and horizontally extending cross members betweenthe side members and having on the ends of the side members thereoffixedly mounted laterally projecting lugs provided with rigidlyconnected upstanding tubular elements of less width than the lugs and inspaced relation with the adjacent portions of said side members and alsoprovided with upwardly facing shoulders around the lower ends of theelements, diagonal braces extending between the ends of the side membersof the end frames and having at the ends thereof fixedly connectedvertically extending sleeves shaped snugly to fit around the elements,adapted to be connected to the elements by positioning them thereaboveand then shifting them downwards into encircling relation with theelements and until their lower ends rest on, and are supported by, saidshoulders, and further adapted to be disconnected from said elements byshifting them upwards out of encircling relation therewith, horizontalbraces extending between the ends of the side members of the end framesand having at the ends thereof fixedly connected depending pins shapedsnugly to fit within the elements, adapted to be connected to theelements by positioning thereabove and then shifting them downwards intosaid elements, and further adapted to be disconnected from said elementsby shifting them upwards out of engagement therewith, and singlering-shaped elements mounted for close vertical sliding movement on theportions of the ends of said side members that are directly above thelugs, adapted when slid downwards after connection of the sleeves andpins to the upstanding tubular elements to assume an operative positionwherein they overlie the sleeves and pins and operate if tilted orcanted as the result of unintentional limited upward movement of thesleeves and pins relatively to said upstanding tubular elementsfrictionally to grip the adjacent portions of the ends of said sidemembers in such manner that they are precluded from sliding upwards andthus prevent disconnection of the sleeves and pins from said upstandingtubular elements, and further adapted when manually manipulated intohorizontal planes for releasing purposes and then slid upwards to assumeinoperative positions wherein they permit the sleeves and pins to bedisconnected from said upstanding tubular elements by shifting themupwards relatively thereto.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a scaffold comprising a pair ofupstanding spaced apart unitary end frames consisting of verticallyextending side members and cross members between the side members andhaving on the ends of the side members fixed laterally projecting lugswith upstanding elements in spaced relation with the adjacent, portionsof said side members, braces extending between the ends of the sidemembers of the end frames and having at the ends thereof fixedvertically extending sleeves of less height than the upstandingelements, extending around said elements, resting on the lugs, andforming therewith detachable connections between the ends of the bracesand the ends of said side members, ring-shaped elements mounted forclose vertical sliding movement on the portions of the ends of said sidemembers that are directly above the lugs, provided on the outerperipheries thereof with annular depending skirts, adapted when sliddownwards after connection of the sleeves to said upstanding elements toassume operative positions wherein the skirts thereof extend around theexposed upper end portions of the upstanding elements and overlie andrest on the upper ends of the sleeves and they operate if tilted orcanted as the result of unintentional limited upward movement of thesleeves relatively to said upstanding elements frictionally to grip theadjacent portions of the ends of the side members of the end frames insuch manner that they are precluded from sliding upwards and thusprevent disconnection of the sleeves from said upstanding elements, andfurther adapted when manually manipulated into horizontal planes forreleasing purposes and then slid upwards to assume inoperative positionswherein they permit the sleeves to be disconnected from said upstandingelements by shifting them upwards relatively thereto.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a scaffold comprising a pair ofupstanding spaced apart unitary end frames consisting of side membersand cross members between the side members and having on the ends of theside members fixed laterally projecting lugs with upstanding tubularelements in spaced relation with the adjacent portions of said sidemembers, braces extending between the side members of the end frames andhaving at the ends thereof fixed vertically extending depending pinsextend ing into certain of said upstanding tubular elements and formingtherewith detachable connections between the ends of the braces and theends of said side members, and ring-shaped elements mounted for closevertical sliding movement on the portions of the ends of said sidemembers that are directly above the lugs, provided on the outerperipheries thereof with annular depending skirts, adapted when sliddownwards after connection of the pins to said upstanding elements toassume operative positions wherein the skirts thereof overlie the upperends of the pins and they operate if tilted or canted as the result ofunintentional limited upward movement of the pins relatively to saidupstanding elements frictionally to grip the adjacent portions of theends of the side members of the end frames in such manner that they areprecluded from sliding upwards and thus prevent disconnection of thepins from said upstanding elements, and further adapted when manuallymanipulated into horizontal planes for releasing purposes and then slidupwards to assume inoperative positions wherein they permit the pins tobe disconnected from said upstanding elements by shifting them upwardsrelatively thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS861,816 Dawson July 30, 1907 1,828,487 Booser Oct. 20, 1931 1,918,116Mansfield July 11, 1933 2,181,784 Dugan et a1 Nov. 28, 1939 2,435,171Weisz Jan. 27, 1948 2,613,114 Hagan Oct. 7, 1952

